Romina Khurshid calls for global cooperation, sustainable solutions to tackle climate challenges

Islamabad: The Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam, underscored the growing climate-related challenges faced by developing nations, particularly those affiliated with the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO).

Speaking at a training session on “Disaster Management and Climate Change Adaptation” held on Monday, she stressed that constrained financial resources and insufficient infrastructure worsen the consequences of climate change. She called for urgent global collaboration and the implementation of sustainable climate solutions.Pakistan unveils first climate finance strategy to mobilise funds for national climate action

In her remarks, Ms. Alam highlighted that climate change is a critical global concern, especially for AARDO countries, which are confronting various environmental threats that deplete natural resources and destabilize socio-economic conditions. Nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh are particularly susceptible to severe flooding due to glacial melting and shifting monsoon patterns. At the same time, Kenya and Zambia are experiencing extreme droughts, heavily impacting agriculture and water resources. Malaysia and Oman are grappling with rising sea levels that pose significant risks to coastal communities and infrastructure.

“Water scarcity remains a persistent issue in several of these nations. Jordan, Palestine, and Namibia rank among the most water-stressed countries worldwide, raising alarming concerns about access to clean drinking water and agricultural irrigation. Additionally, countries such as Syria and Ghana are dealing with soil degradation, further intensifying food security challenges,” Ms. Alam remarked.

She pointed out that developing countries are already witnessing rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and cyclones. To effectively tackle these threats, she emphasized the pressing need for regional cooperation in disaster management and climate adaptation.

Referring to the one-week training program, which commenced on January 9th, Ms. Alam expressed confidence that it would empower participants with essential knowledge and skills to develop effective disaster response and climate adaptation strategies in their home countries. The training was organized by the Akhtar Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development (AHKNCRD) in collaboration with AARDO. She also highlighted the significance of supporting AARDO member nations through knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and fostering innovative approaches to sustainable development.

Ms. Alam praised NCRD for its dedication to rural development and poverty alleviation, particularly in Pakistan and other AARDO member states, through its partnership with AARDO.

The AHKNCRD, based in Islamabad, is a government institution focused on capacity-building and works closely with AARDO, an intergovernmental organization consisting of 32 member countries from Asia and Africa.

Ms. Alam further emphasized that Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, highlighting the necessity of comprehensive disaster management plans and cooperative adaptation efforts to enhance resilience. She reiterated the importance of equipping key stakeholders with the expertise required to address the multifaceted challenges of disaster management and climate adaptation.

The one-week training program has attracted participants from 13 AARDO member states, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Namibia, Oman, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Zambia.